pappde Posted February 19, 2010 Share #1 Posted February 19, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I had the X1 for a few days now, so I thought that I should share with you my initial impressions. As I stated in other threads I am NOT a photographer or a professional equippment rewiever, not even an enthusiast amateur photographer. I am your average schmoo, who might have a conosseur taste towards items usually associated with testosterone influenced preferences (cars, cameras, watches etc.). It was amazing how much similar the unboxing of this camera felt compared to when I opened my Digilux-2 way back then. Much like the Digilux-2, this camera instantly looks and feels like a Leica, unlike the Dlux 3 or 4. When I took it out of its box, just for a fleeting second, I almost was dissapointed, because the camera felt so light, not like the older Leicas with their nice solid heft, but this is a Leica for the 21st century. The camera is very well made and meticulously put together. Every joining part matches smoothly and the finish is impeccable. The titanium shade finish is really nice. I like the fact that the knobs are a ligther color silver. The leatherette look alike plastic/rubber covering has a very pleasant feeling to it and provides a very firm grip on the camera. The aperture and shutter speed dials are pretty solid with a nice positive click to them. Several reviewers complained about these dials not having a firmer click. I am in disagreement. Though it is true that you might accidentally turn the aperture dial upon taking the camera from your pocket. The on/off switch is nice and solid. I like the manual focus wheel, it has a smooth continous movement, but when in actual MF as the camera focuses it almost feels like it clicks. So far I am pretty happy with the screen, though I use the external finder all the time, but since it is a 35mm one I check the framing quite frequently on the screen. BTW the CV 28/35 mini finder is a real beauty, the frame lines are very bright and the size of the finder window is nice and it look just perfect on the camera. It matches nicely the colors of the wheels on top and still keeps the camera easily pocketable and fits much better with the general design idea than the larger square or the round ones. I just love the simplicity of the OS. Menus are short and straight forward. Everything is geared towards the business of picture taking and NOTHING ELSE! No fancy triksy formats, film types, themes and moods or frame sizes. Love the arrangement that setting a feature and getting out of the menu is simply done by touching the release button. Bang, there you go! The camera takes great pictures. BUT as per my intro I do not feel I should go into IQ or lens quality. Having used other P&S cameras, most of them better quality, Eos Rebel DSR and Olympus EP1, I think the AF speed of the X1 is not worse than any of those cameras. Whatever my opinion in this regard matters. denes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 Hi pappde, Take a look here X1 First impressions. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jsrockit Posted February 19, 2010 Share #2 Posted February 19, 2010 Did you order overseas or did the US finally get some? Congrats anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fokus Posted February 19, 2010 Share #3 Posted February 19, 2010 Hy Denes, that is a very professional analysis, I think you really understood the camera! I also think, it is somehow the camera of the 21st century. When I took the X 1 in my hands in a very big department store in Berlin the day before yesterday (they only had one demonstration camera, but there is big demand), I really had the same impresssions as you have, it is a dammned cute thing! The IQ is in my point of view outstanding, not only for a compact camera. Here are some photos from the German Leica-forum: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/forum-zur-leica-x1/115345-x1-schnappies-vom-einmal-ber-hren.html Please, show us some photos that you have made, that would be very kind. Best Greetings to the States! Ralf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertc Posted February 19, 2010 Share #4 Posted February 19, 2010 These are outstanding photos. Are you sure these are not taken with the M9? Superb and inspiring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pappde Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted February 19, 2010 Did you order overseas or did the US finally get some? Congrats anyway. I got mine through LeicaShop in Vienna. I read a post about two weeks ago over the DPR Leica Forum, about somebody getting an email from the LeicaShop.com outfit in Austria, that they received some X1. I called them last Friday and I got my X1 on Monday. And it was even cheaper (bout$130 less) this way! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fokus Posted February 19, 2010 Share #6 Posted February 19, 2010 These are outstanding photos. Are you sure these are not taken with the M9? Superb and inspiring. Indeed, outstanding. They are X1-photos. Peter Lück, the photographer, told his "story" of buying the X1 from the beginning on in the German Leica-forum. But he is also a very good photographer (what he does not want to hear...;-)). Interesting was for me the little difference between the original jpg-files and the dng-files, both very exciting. Greetings Ralf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatWorthy Posted February 20, 2010 Share #7 Posted February 20, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Ralf: Thank you for the link. I don't understand a word of German, but each picture speaks one word to me - "Fabulous!". The pictures simply blew me away. I've heard all about the X1's slow autofocus, the high price, etc. If the autofocus is no slower than that of the D-lux4, then I'm definitely warming up to the idea of owning one after seeing these samples. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiOnara Posted February 20, 2010 Share #8 Posted February 20, 2010 Yeah there are some amazing pics there. Especially the night time stuff on your Flickr account. The X1 is FINE. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted February 20, 2010 Share #9 Posted February 20, 2010 I think you really understood the camera! I also think, it is somehow the camera of the 21st century.Try the 20th century ........... this is the direction where things are going Samsung announces WB2000 with full HD video recording: Digital Photography Review Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 20, 2010 Share #10 Posted February 20, 2010 Try the 20th century ........... this is the direction where things are going Correction, that's where Samsung are going. It will be replaced by something better in a few months anyway. I thought Fuji 3D was 'where things are going' or RED type cameras. Actually more likely it's better quality phone-cams with digicam sized 'large' sensors. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pappde Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share #11 Posted February 20, 2010 Try the 20th century ........... this is the direction where things are going Samsung announces WB2000 with full HD video recording: Digital Photography Review Well, that is not necessarily true. There will be always a need for a simple straightforward camera with a really great optics and very high IQ. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted February 20, 2010 Share #12 Posted February 20, 2010 It is a red type of camera which will find it's way into a multi media unit of which the phone is included though phone use not as we know it. The still camera will be a minor player. Samsung is just reflecting the trend, of course we all know that the units will evolve, remember they are big in phones and all things electronic There will be always a need for a simple straightforward camera with a really great optics and very high IQ Maybe for some individuals and high end pros etc but the general population is moving on from last century Most of the users here post on the net and view via computer, this negates the need for high IQ cameras for them as well. People that regularly print large are few and far between these days. Companies do not make cameras for individuals whims, they are there to profit from the masses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted February 20, 2010 Share #13 Posted February 20, 2010 :)and for the 20th century bodies Sigma introduces DP2s large sensor compact: Digital Photography Review Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
diogenis Posted February 21, 2010 Share #14 Posted February 21, 2010 Posting photos on the net, is not and should not be prohibiting to printing high quality photos. 3D photography never made it to the mass consumer because of the very special equipment needed to display in 3D. At least Fuji made a step in the right direction by eliminating those special glasses, however you still need that special device to watch your pics, and this is in very low resolution. On the other hand phone cams are evolving and are indeed very handy. I believe that mobile phones do pose a threat to those cheap compact p&s but noway do they threat the real cameras. And quality in pics is still there even if you dont print it: you can enlarge it, crop it, frame it in any way you want, but you cant just do this on a cheap p&s Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panchen Lama Posted February 21, 2010 Share #15 Posted February 21, 2010 Hello everyone! Having just become a proud owner of the X1 this Friday I thought I'd share some of my initial impressions in the spirit of the person that started this thread. Like him, I'm no professional and I entered the digital photography game pretty late in the day, my first digital camera being the D-Lux 3 and before that having shot for many years with a Nikon Fm2. When the X1 was announced it seemed to be aimed precisely and people like myself who grew up shooting manually, and I must say it seemed to be the camera I'd been waiting for for some time. These first impressions are very first impressions, based on a single afternoon of taking pictures, without having read the manual, under less than ideal conditions (stinking migraine). So here we are. Straight out of the box it's very clear that it is no point and shoot, light and easy to handle but not too small, it has the feel and look of a professional tool. Once on and shooting the fully automatic settings are fine but it really begs to be interacted with manually. Come evening I was shooting outside in near darkness and I found that even on the first day I was intuitively and quickly changing settings without being able to see the writing on any of the buttons! What a pleasant surprise, it really is so easy to interact with, with all the main settings being just a single button press away it makes the whole process of setting up a shot so easy and fun. This is a huge advantage for me as if I have to fiddle about in menus it takes away the spontaneity and a lot of the fun and in the long run I just won't bother. I was also surprised at the fact that I don't seem to miss the zoom on the DL3 either, it just felt instantly right shooting with a prime lens again. The stiffness of the dials is fine for me, I could see how they could be stiffer and of course its not the same satisfying click of a mechanical camera, but all in all fine. The autofocus I think is going to take some getting used to. It seems very hit and miss and seems to depend greatly on what you are focusing on. With well-lit subjects with lots of detail and contrast it is certainly quick enough for me, faster than the DL3 I would say. However when there is less light/contrast/detail it can hunt around for ages and very often won't lock. I don't remember my DL3 being this indecisive. The manual focus is pretty good and I would say its a good alternative to the AF in low light. I'd love to see a full screen magnification option in any firmware updates. The automatic white balance strikes me as superb, really spot on every time in all the conditions I tried. The noise/detail at ISO 3200 is also truly superb, in another class with respect to the DL3. The display is also fine as far as I'm concerned, it does its job. Overall I'm very happy with it, it is already exceeding my quite high expectations and I think once I've got used to it its going to help me move forward as a photographer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
diogenis Posted February 21, 2010 Share #16 Posted February 21, 2010 Besides the limitation of just one lens and the slower response, it has nothing else the M8 has and this one hasn't. Well and build quality feeling ofcourse, but this won't make you shoot better Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 21, 2010 Share #17 Posted February 21, 2010 Besides the limitation of just one lens and the slower response, it has nothing else the M8 has and this one hasn't. Well and build quality feeling ofcourse, but this won't make you shoot better The M rangefinder might, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptu Posted February 22, 2010 Share #18 Posted February 22, 2010 The M rangefinder might, though. In my thinking camera does not make up the lack of skills in shooting. Good camera just makes it easier to take good photos. Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted February 22, 2010 Share #19 Posted February 22, 2010 It is a red type of camera which will find it's way into a multi media unit of which the phone is included though phone use not as we know it. The still camera will be a minor player. Samsung is just reflecting the trend, of course we all know that the units will evolve, remember they are big in phones and all things electronic Maybe for some individuals and high end pros etc but the general population is moving on from last century Most of the users here post on the net and view via computer, this negates the need for high IQ cameras for them as well. People that regularly print large are few and far between these days. Companies do not make cameras for individuals whims, they are there to profit from the masses To logic, to rational. There is no need for a ferrari to drive to the grocery store, downtown, to the nightclub, yet most are used just for that. With emotional products, needs vary, desires and wishes are something else. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatWorthy Posted February 23, 2010 Share #20 Posted February 23, 2010 Hy Denes, that is a very professional analysis, I think you really understood the camera! I also think, it is somehow the camera of the 21st century. When I took the X 1 in my hands in a very big department store in Berlin the day before yesterday (they only had one demonstration camera, but there is big demand), I really had the same impresssions as you have, it is a dammned cute thing! The IQ is in my point of view outstanding, not only for a compact camera. Here are some photos from the German Leica-forum: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/forum-zur-leica-x1/115345-x1-schnappies-vom-einmal-ber-hren.html Please, show us some photos that you have made, that would be very kind. Best Greetings to the States! Ralf Thanks for the link Ralf. Not knowing a word of German, I look at this link with Google Translator, which gives me just enough info in English to understand the basics. Here're my feedbacks: - X1 produces exceptional IQ, even when compared against some DSLRs. - Peter Luck is an excellent photographer. I'm not sure I can produce his results. - Most of Peter's shots were static objects or portraits, so it doesn't test the autofocus function. - After seeing the samples in the link you sent and the ones in the high-ISO thread, I'm now considering the X1. In trouble again. Ken Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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